Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have found that despite legislation in 19 states requiring insurance coverage for a 12-month supply of contraception, many patients are not receiving a year’s worth of their prescription. Most patients receive just three months or less, leaving them at an increased risk for unintended pregnancy. Dispensing a longer-term supply of contraception has been shown to improve continuous use, reduce breaks in coverage, and result in health system savings.
The decision of when or if to become pregnant is deeply personal, and delays in getting a refill or running out of pills should not impact this decision. To address this barrier, policymakers in 19 states have enacted policies requiring insurers to cover the cost of dispensing a full year of contraception at once. However, these policies have not been fully implemented, leading to minimal increases in year-long prescription orders. The research team found that in most states with the 12-month supply policy, there was less than a one percentage point increase in the proportion of contraception dispensed.
To fully implement these policies, outreach to contraceptive users, prescribers, pharmacists, and payers is necessary, along with enforcement from state governments. A federal policy mandating coverage of a 12-month supply could also support access by requiring all insurers, including private payers, to cover a year’s worth of contraception. Patients are encouraged to ask about their contraceptive options and advocate for choices that best fit their personal preferences, lifestyle, and family planning goals. Ensuring broad access to contraception is crucial in the current landscape where reproductive rights are under attack.
Insurance companies must comply with revised coverage guidelines, and clinicians need to change their prescribing patterns to write for an extended supply of contraception in order for coverage policies to be effective. Pharmacists also play a role in dispensing the full supply. The research team hopes that their findings serve as a call to action to make 12-month supplies the standard prescribing practice. Improving access to birth control, especially in states with more restrictions on reproductive health care, is essential for ensuring that patients have the ability to make informed choices about their reproductive health.
In conclusion, the implementation of policies requiring insurers to cover a 12-month supply of contraception has been limited, resulting in many patients receiving less than a year’s worth of their prescription. Improving access to birth control by ensuring that coverage policies are followed, prescribers write for extended supplies, and patients are aware of their options is crucial in the current landscape of reproductive health care. It is essential to remove barriers and advocate for broad access to contraception to empower individuals to make choices that align with their personal preferences and family planning goals.